Wales Under-16s close to ‘Grand Slam’ at Easter tournament

Wales Schools under-16s head coach Simon Davies feels the standard of Welsh youngsters is “rising year on year” after an impressive showing from his side at the annual Wellington College Easter tournament.

Wales almost completed a “Grand Slam” of victories, but lost to hosts England at the final hurdle in  a busy week that took in five matches over eight days.

A 46-man squad crossed the Severn Bridge, with every member of the squad playing a full part.

First up for the young Welsh side was the USA, and they convincingly won 45-16. Wales scored seven tries, including two for Penallta and Dragons wing Patric Lewis and one for Llandovery and Scarlets full back Jack Evans, who also scored 10 points with the boot for a personal tally of 15.

Davies said: “The USA were a big, physical side but we showed our intention to play as much rugby with the ball in hand as possible.

“We managed to break them as the game wore on and, despite some errors, the most pleasing aspect was that we managed to put together some of the multi-phase rugby we had set out to do and challenge the opposition with the ball in hand.”

Next up was Scotland. Two tries from Dragons full back Jared Rosser, a further one from fellow Dragons back Lloyd Lewis and 12 points from Blues outside-half Luke Fish set up a 27-7 half-time lead. But there was a drop in performance in the second half, and Scotland pegged Wales back to a single point, yet they held on.

Davies explained: “Our first-half performance against Scotland was excellent when we managed to keep the ball for long periods and capitalise on that possession. It was disappointing, however, to concede a try just before half time at 27-0 up and in the second half we lost our cohesion after changes were made.”

With those two matches uncapped, France were up next in the first of two capped Test matches. In a competitive match, Wales were able to overcome France’s physicality and set the tempo, especially in the second half, running in four tries in all from Patric Lewis, Harry Randall, Rhys Gealy and Jack Evans. Evans added two first-half penalties and a second-half conversion to make the final score 25-6 to Wales.

The squad then prepared for a clash with the Saracens Under-17 side and the final clash with England.

They trailed the older, more experienced Saracens side 31-8 at half-time, but produced an outstanding demonstration of attacking rugby to score 39 unanswered second-half points and come away worthy winners.

London Irish and Forest School centre John Williams scored two tries, as did Patric Lewis, with Shaun Pearce and Steff Taffetsaufer also touching down and replacement outside-half Luke Fish adding 14 points from the boot.

Davies said of the comeback: “The boys came out with a real attitude and desire after half-time, producing the best half of rugby I’ve seen by any age grade team. It was a real highlight for everyone involved and the offloading, the running lines, the ruck speed and the multi-phase play all contributed to a second half where we tore the opposition apart.”

The England Test was undeniably the toughest challenge, but Wales got off to a promising start. They were 15-3 up at half time thanks to tries from Scarlets centre Matthew Pearce and Ospreys wing Rhys Gealy, and a conversion and penalty for Jack Evans.

But England came back strongly, scoring some fantastic tries of their own alongside some critical Welsh errors to win 32-26.

Davies said of the reverse: “It was disappointing not to win that game, and while it doesn’t make losing that match any easier, the players certainly made a huge amount of progress in the lead-up to it.

“They responded well to what was asked of them and I’m sure the experience of training and playing together in a tournament environment will stand them in good stead as they take the next steps in age grade rugby.

“I feel the standard of player is rising year on year, and the work the regional age grade coaches are doing means that the players are more skilful when they come to us, particularly in the contact area, which means we can achieve so much more in a short time.

“Three of this squad, Patric Lewis, Harry Randall and Jared Rosser, will still be eligible for Welsh Schools Under-16 next year while many others, I believe, have the talent and hunger to go on to achieve a lot more in age grade rugby at least.”

Results:

Welsh Schools Under-16 A 45–16 USA Under-16

Tries: Patric Lewis (2), Sid Blackmore, Curtis Povey, Matthew Pearce, Jack Evans, John Williams

Cons: Jack Evans (2)

Pens: Jack Evans (2)

Welsh Schools Under-16 A 27–26 Scotland Under-16

Tries: Jared Rosser (2), Lloyd Lewis

Cons: Luke Fish (3)

Pens: Luke Fish (2)

Welsh Schools Under-16 25–6 France Under-16

Tries: Patric Lewis, Harry Randall, Rhys Gealy, Jack Evans

Cons: Jack Evans

Pens: Jack Evans (2)

Welsh Schools Under-16 47–31 Saracens Under-17

Tries: Patric Lewis (2), John Williams (2), Shaun Pearce, Steff Taffetsaufer

Cons: Luke Fish (4)

Pens: Luke Fish (2), Josh Malson

Welsh Schools Under-16 26–32 England Under-16

Tries: Rhys Gealy (2), Matthew Pearce

Cons: Jack Evans

Pens: Jack Evans (3)

Welsh Schools U16 squad:

Forwards: Sam Brinkworth (Blues South/Whitchurch HS/Rumney), Rhys Fawcett (Scarlets/Pembroke/Pembroke), Rhys Forse (Blues South/Barry HS), Dai Harris (Blues North/Tonypandy Comp/Ystrad Rhondda), Gerwyn Coleman (Blues North/Tonypandy/Ystrad Rhondda), Aldi Coverdale (Blues South/Glantaf/Llanishen), Jack Davies (Dragons/Oakdale/Abertillery), Matthew Moore (Scarlets/Bryngwyn/Llanelli Wanderers), Kieron Asseratti (Blues North/Porth County/Treorchy), Richard Bassett (Scarlets/Strade/Llanelli Wanderers), Leon Brown (Dragons/St Josephs/St Josephs), Joel Ringer (Blues South/Stanwell/Cowbridge), Jacob Blackmore (Ospreys/Cefn Saeson/Tonmawr), Callum Haggett (Blues North/Tonyrefail/Ystrad Rhondda), Tom Hayward (Blues South/Radyr CS/Pentyrch), Bryce Morgan (Dragons/Caerleon High/Caerleon), Shaun Evans (Scarlets/Bryngwyn/Felinfoel), Dan Holder (Blues South/Cowbridge CS/Cowbridge), Lloyd Phillips (Dragons/Monmouth/Abergavenny), Sid Blackmore (Blues South/Cathedral HS/Llandaff), Shaun Edwards (Scarlets/Strade/Llanelli Wanderers), Morgan Sienawski (Blues North/Bryn Celynnog/Llantwit Fadre), Joe Gaughan (Blues South/Cowbridge CS/Cowbridge), Josh Macleod (Scarlets/Bro Gwaun/Crymych), Steff Taffetsauffer (Scarlets/Strade/Llanelli Wanderers), Stephen Leonard (Scarlets/Newcastle Emlyn/Newcastle Emlyn)

Backs: Matthew Aubery (Ospreys/Pontarddulais/Pontarddulais), Liam Free (Blues South/Whitchurch/Llandaff), Harry Randall (Scarlets/Llandovery Coll/Kidwely), Rhodri Rees (Scarlets/Strade/Pontarddulais), Luke Fish (Blues South/St Illtyds/Rumney), Callum Hall (Blues North/Mountain Ash/Pontypridd), Josh Malson (Dragons/St Albans/Pontypool Utd), James Hussey (Dragons/Caldicot/Abergavenny), Billy McBryde (Scarlets/Maes yr Yrfa/Tumble), Matthew Pearce (Scarlets/Strade/Llanelli Wanderers), Owen Watkin (Ospreys/Llangynwyd/Bryncethin), Lloyd Lewis (Dragons/Gwynllyw/Croesyceiliog), John Williams (Exiles/Forest School/London Irish), Patric Lewis (Dragons/Lewis Boys/Penallta), Shaun Pearce (Scarlets/Strade/Llanelli Wanderers), Jack Evans (Scarlets/Llandovery Coll/Llandovery), Curtis Povey (Blues North/Tonypandy/Ystrad Rhondda), Jared Rosser (Dragons/Abersychan/Pontypool Utd), Rhys Gealy (Ospreys/Gwyr/Pontarddulais), Kieran Jones (Scarlets/Dyffryn Taf/Carmarthen Quins)